gans, and it is probable are to be ascribed chiefly, if not solely, to
the acrimonious particles, wafted by the winds from the sandy
deserts, and from a soil strongly impregnated with alcaline salts.
W e cannot consider the soil of Egypt, and it’s extraordinary
fruitfulness, without our attention being turned immediately to
THE NILE,
the inexhaustible source of it’s fertility. This Celebrated river rises
in the village of Geesh, in the country of Gojam, in the south of
Abyssinia, in the latitude of 10° 59" 25" north, and lonOgitude
36° 55' 30" east of the meridian of Greenwich. At the fountain
head it is upwards of two miles above the level of the sea; and
hence it flows through Abyssinia, Sennaar, and Nubia, it’s magnitude
increased by various tributary streams, and it’s descent accelerated
at different places by cataracts, from one of which the
water rushes down at once about two hundred and eighty feet, till
it reaches the Thebaid, and it s course is confined to a narrow valley,
between two mountainous ridges, the sides of which once afforded
habitations to the troglodytes, that first peopled the country.
In the neighbourhood of the ancient Syene, now Assouan, at the
southern extremity of upper Egypt, is the last cataract; if that
may be so called, which in North America would receive the appropriate
name of rapids; from which to the Mediterranean the
Nile is navigable by vessels of considerable size. The canjas, or
boats employed in the commerce of the river, are well adapted to
the peculiar circumstances of it, combining in them speed, safety,
and convenience.
The celebrated Mourad bey has procured some ships to be
built and equipped in the european fashion, and purchased a few
others, in which he has incurred considerable expense to little
purpose. The largest of them mounts twenty-four guns; and they
are well manned, chiefly with greeks from the Archipelago. He
has about six of these vessels, lying at anchor before Geeza the
greater part of the year, as they can be navigated only while the
river is at a considerable height. Should either of the european
powers maintain a footing in this country, perhaps the usual shallowness
of the N ile will prove no greater obstacle to the establishment
of any marine force that may be of utility on it, than that
of the American lakes did in the last war.
For the transport of commodities, or the purposes of war, however,
the Nile is of little importance, compared with it’s influence
on the cultivation of the country. W ha t but for it would be a
barren desert, is rendered by it’s waters one of the most productive
spots on the Earth. This is effected by it’s annual inundation, to
which the people anxiously look, as the dispenser, of plenty or of
famine. At the heliacal rising of the dog-star, when the rainy
season commences within the tropics, all the rivers are swelled by
the torrents of water, that fall from the clouds, and seek their passage
to the sea through the channel of the Nile, into which they
flow. Hence it s stream, which from the continuance of drought
had sunk low, begins to rise in consequence of this addition. I t ’s
increase, however, is not so considerable, as to be an object of
public notice, till about the end of june, when it’s degree is proclaimed
through the streets of Cairo by a person appointed for the
D